The Best Markers for Coloring in the Market

Coloring books have become popular in the past few years and it’s not for kids anymore. There are a lot of adult coloring books that are made to relieve stress and encourage mindfulness. With these wonderful coloring books, you’ll want to have the best tools to fill them with colors. This is an article that will show you the best markers for coloring.

If you are looking for the best colored pencils for coloring, we also have a separate article for that.

(Some links are affiliate links which means we earn a small commission if you purchase at no additional cost to you.)

Table of Contents

Important Factors to Consider When Buying Markers for Adult Coloring Books

The Best Markers For Coloring

• Copic Ciao Markers
• Faber-Castell Pitt Pens
• Staedtler Triplus Fineliner
• Ohuhu Art Markers Dual Tips Coloring
• Crayola Fine Line Markers Adult Coloring Set
• Tombow Dual Brush Pens
• Pentel Color Marker Pens
• Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Art Markers
• Sharpie Electro Pop Permanent Markers
• Arteza Real Brush Pens

FAQs

Conclusion

Factors to Consider When Buying Markers for Coloring

Color Selection

The more colors you have in a set, the more creative you will be. You’ll have a variety of colors to make your artwork shine. Just be careful with sets that have color duplicates. Some sets include multiple colors in the same color family and some have two of every color. Find out the shades of colors that a set has so you can have more color options.

Color Vibrancy

Go for markers that dispense pigmented ink rather than those that look washed out. Watch reviews to have ideas on which colors tend to fade or aren’t that pigmented on paper.

Type and Quality of Tips

There are different types of tips that give you different results. Brush tips are great for shading. Fine tips are ideal for detailing and coloring small areas. Some brands have dual-tipped pens so you can get both tips in one pen.

Look for good quality pen markers and avoid those with tips that flatten easily. Cheaper pens usually tend to be flimsy so if you think you’re going to be in this hobby for a long time, it’s better to invest in markers that last longer.

Ink Consistency and Longevity

Some markers dry out easily especially when they are alcohol-based so you won’t be able to spread the colors out. Some markers also tend to bleed through thin paper so you’ll have to get sketchbooks for markers.

Bleeding

This is the most common problem with markers. Some markers bleed through paper. Make sure to test out your markers first before you start coloring. We recommend placing a piece of thick paper underneath the page you’re working on to prevent further bleeding on the next page.

Pen Design

When shopping for pen markers, the pen design is one factor you have to consider. You’ll be using these pens for coloring and you need to have pens that are comfortable to hold and grip for long periods of time. Look for pens that have contoured bodies to hold them better. Also, check if the pens are slippery to hold, usually, a matte body is better.

Price

You will also have to consider how much you are willing to spend on this hobby. There are marker sets that are cheap and of good quality and there are expensive ones that have better ink consistency and quality overall.

The Best Markers For Coloring

Copic Ciao Markers

Copic Markers are deemed one of the best markers for coloring by so many artists. These are alcohol-based markers with a brush nib on one end and a chisel nib on the other. They come in a wide array of colors and you can refill them up to 15 times. The nibs are long-lasting so you’ll be using these markers for years if you take care of them properly.

The ink is vibrant and you can use them to produce gorgeous blending and shading effects. The strokes are smooth and even, and the two tips allow you to execute a variety of styles.

Despite being alcohol-based, the Copic Markers are non-toxic and odor-free. And although they bleed through thin paper, they perform very well on double-sided coloring books.

These markers are professional-grade and are on the expensive side of the spectrum, so if you are looking for cheap markers, this may not be for you. These markers are an investment and are best for professional artists and serious colorists.

What We Like:

• Great range of colors
• Saturated pigments
• Great for shading and blending
• Dual-tipped
• Professional-grade markers

What We Dislike:

• Very Expensive
• Bleeds through thin paper

Faber-Castell Pitt Pens

This is one of the best markers for coloring that you can use on your adult coloring books, illustrations, and even journals.

Faber-Castell is one of the leading art brands in the world, and probably the most widely recognized. Their products are on the premium side and are used in art schools and professional design studios.

The Faber-Castell Pitt Pen’s quality is superb. It is water-based, bleed-proof, and odor-free. The pen is available in a 0.5mm fine tip and brush tip so you can choose. They maintain their shapes and they don’t smear or bleed. And this is one great feature that makes these markers ideal for coloring double-sided books.

These markers are long-lasting and made of environmental-friendly materials.

For beginners who are just starting out, this may be too expensive to be used as a beginning tool, but this is great for serious and professional artists. It’s an investment that’s worth every penny.

What We Like:

• Little to no bleeding
• Wide variety of colors
• Has a variety of pen tips to choose from

What We Dislike:

• Expensive
• Tips are damaged when used on rough papers

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner

Staedtler is a popular brand and this product is definitely one of the best markers for coloring. With incredibly fine tips, these markers are quick-drying and smudge-proof. Johanna Basford recommends this brand for her adult coloring books and they work like a breeze without bleeding through the pages in her books.

These fine liners are affordable and great for beginners. They are water-based and have 0.3 mm wide tips. These markers are great for working on intricate details and they give off excellent color payoff.

These markers are less likely to bleed because of their fine tips but for surety, make sure to place an extra paper underneath the page you’re working on.

The Staedtler Triplus Fineliner comes in 60 gorgeous colors, their largest box collection, which will surely tickle your creativity and imagination.

What We Like:

• Affordable price tag
• Fine tips for intricate details
• Dry safe technology

What We Dislike:

• They don’t blend
• Not recommended for coloring large areas

Ohuhu Art Markers Dual Tips Coloring

Coming in with 120 colors, these Ohuhu Markers are definitely one of the best markers for coloring as it also comes with a handful of replacement tips.

This marker has a dual tip: a brush and a fine tip. The brush tip is great for shading and the fine tip works well for working on the finer details.

These markers are water-based and non-toxic, and they give off vibrant colors with minimal bleeding and no smudging. The colors are easy to blend so shading and layering are a breeze.

What’s even great is that these markers come at an affordable price tag and they last very long with their replacement tips. With a wide variety of colors, this marker set is definitely great for beginners!

What We Like:

• A breeze to blend and layer
• Dual-tips for flexibility
• Has replacement tips
• Fairly affordable

What We Dislike:

• Some of the caps don’t match the actual shade

Crayola Fine Line Markers Adult Coloring Set

This set of markers is a budget-friendly product that packs a punch. With 40 vibrant colors, this set is a real game-changer for professional and beginner artists alike.

The shades are vivid and vibrant and the variety of colors offer you a lot of freedom in your creations.

The nibs are only 0.1 mm wide so you can use them for journaling, lettering, and detailing, but not for shading or coloring large areas. Despite the thin nib, these fine line markers are not streaky and the colors dry evenly. The ink takes longer to dry though, but once dry, it is vivid, water-proof, and long-lasting.

What We Like:

• Fairly affordable
• Vivid and vibrant colors
• Blends well
• Long-lasting nibs and great for detailing

What We Dislike:

• Bleeds through thin paper
• Dispenses ink heavily so there may be pooling

Tombow Dual Brush Pens

Here is another dual-tipped brush pen that is great for artists and bullet journal enthusiasts. Tombow Brush Pens are very popular in the bullet journal community because of their wide array of colors and blend-ability.

These markers are water-based and do not bleed through your paper. They are often used for lettering and calligraphy, and may not be the best for adult coloring books.

What We Like:

• Bright pigments
• Dual-tipped for more versatility
• Odorless and minimal bleeding
• The brush tip is firm and more controllable

What We Dislike:

• Expensive
• Comes in different sets with limited palettes

Pentel Color Marker Pens

Pentel markers are high-quality markers that are widely used in schools and offices, and they have a line that’s great for coloring.

These markers are water-based and deliver gorgeous colors through sturdy felt tips. The markers glide smoothly on paper and distribute pigment evenly.

Again, the fine tips are great for detailing but not so much for covering large areas. These markers work great for coloring smaller shapes but when you use this to cover bigger areas, the lines and gaps will show easily, and creating a uniform color is more difficult.

This marker set comes in 36 colors and is housed in a sturdy case. It’s affordable and can last you a long time.

What We Like:

• Bright and pigmented colors
• Affordable
• Sturdy tips
• Dispenses ink evenly and vividly

What We Dislike:

• Heavy bleeding even through thick paper

Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Art Markers

Prismacolor is a well-known art supply brand and their dual-ended markers are superb. These coloring markers come in different sets of 1, 24, 48, 72, 156, and 200.

They use premium non-toxic alcohol-based ink and the markers produce saturated colors that are easy to blend. These dual-tipped markers have a fine and brush tip that glides smoothly on paper without being streaky. With both tips in one marker, you can color large areas and work on finer details as well. The fine tip is sturdy and firm that creates clean lines.

The pigments of the Prismacolor markers are bright and saturated. The downside is that the ink has a strong odor and the markers bleed through the pages of thin papers. You’ll also need to let the ink dry completely to avoid smudges.

Despite the strong odor and bleeding, this marker set is versatile and great for both beginner and professional artists.

What We Like:

• Blends very good
• The colors are very vibrant
• Colors are buildable without damaging the paper
• Comfortable barrel shape

What We Dislike:

• Bleeds through paper
• Expensive
• Ink is not fast-drying

Sharpie Electro Pop Permanent Markers

Sharpies are one of the least expensive markers and have been around the common household for multiple purposes. They’ve always been a stationery fan favorite because they come in so many different colors at very affordable prices.

These markers are smooth to use and quick-drying, but as these are alcohol-based, these markers tend to bleed especially when your paper is thin. Always do a pen test before starting any artwork.

Sharpies are highly pigmented but they bleed and feather moderately. The colors are buildable although you can’t really see much difference on the layers.

Their tips are rigid and are great for writing and labeling. It does not blend well because when you do some blending, the result ends up somewhat patchy.

What We Like:

• Permanent markers, don’t fade easily
• Cheap
• Vibrant and eye-popping colors
• Fine tips for detailed work
• Can be used on a lot of surface including metal, cloth, and plastic

What We Dislike:

• Does not blend
• Strong odor
• Bleeds through paper

Arteza Real Brush Pens

The unique thing about these Arteza brush pens is that they can be used with water. The colors are easy to blend and produce a stunning watercolor effect. The brush tips produce rich colors and are very versatile to use for coloring.

This brush pen set has a wide array of vibrant colors and is water-based and non-toxic.

There’s a bit of a learning curve in using these watercolor brush pens but there are a lot of helpful tutorials you can find online to help you out.

These are fantastic for coloring and shading and that’s why we included this brand in this list of best markers for coloring.

With a reasonable price tag, this marker set can be your next favorite coloring tool.

What We Like:

• Flexible tips for versatility
• Wide color selection
• Affordable

What We Dislike:

• Can be difficult to use for beginners

FAQs

What are the Most Trusted Coloring Book Markers Brand?

The most known and trusted brands are Crayola, Pentel, Copic, Staedler, and Faber-Castell. The first two are budget-friendly and the last three are high-end ones that are on the more expensive scale.

Where to Buy Coloring Book Markers?

You can buy these supplies in your local art supply store and shops like Target and Walmart. You can also purchase them from online stores like Amazon and eBay.

How to Care and Clean Your Markers?

Always keep the caps closed after use to avoid them drying out. Store your markers in a box to keep them organized.

Are Colored Pencils or Coloring Markers Better to Use?

This actually depends on the coloring effect you are looking for. Colored pencils are highly blendable and some of them are cheaper than markers. Coloring markers are versatile and can produce uniform colors on a large area. Ultimately, it depends on your preference and art style.

Which is better, Water- or Alcohol-Based Coloring Markers?

Quality-wise, alcohol-based markers are the best markers for coloring. They are blendable and will allow you to create ombre effects and different shading. the catch is alcohol-based markers are often more expensive than water-based markers.

How Do You Know if a Coloring Marker Is Water-Based?

Easy. Just swatch a marker and brush it with some water. If the ink begins to run, you have a water-based marker.

Why Do You Need Good Markers for Coloring?

Good markers are those with nice, versatile tips and quality ink, and you need to consider these factors so you can have the best experience while coloring your books. You can always use any markers that are available, but if you are looking to create certain effects and desire a great output, the best markers for coloring are presented above. Choose your pick!

Conclusion

Looking for the best markers for coloring is overwhelming when you are still a beginner. Hopefully, this article helped you in making a decision.

There are so many brands, like Copic, Staedler, and Crayola, that have amazing coloring markers and they come in different price ranges and unique features. High-quality markers give you consistent and even color application, yet there are affordable ones that give you results that are just as good.

Find the right markers for your need and gradually grow your skills and upgrade your tools according to your progress.

Enjoy and have fun in your art journey, and of course, don’t be afraid to make mistakes because that’s where we learn from.